Last night I was fortunate enough to partner with Coppa Gelato in Westerville, for one of the most successful book signings of my career as a children's book author and illustrator! One of the best perks of being an author is meeting your public and talking about your passion for creating something kids and parents can enjoy together!

I'd made a commitment not only to myself but to my readers to write and illustrate Who Ate The Gelato?! by late July of 2014, further chronicling the adventures of Jasmine, Topo and Roxanne, but as the date approached like a speeding locomotive I found myself nowhere near completion of the task!

Spring Took Her Sweet Time Arriving ... ... and I welcome Her all the same with no complaints! La Primavera (Spring) is a wonderful time of year not only because the Earth is bursting with color and life again, but because it brings opportunities for creative people like me that have been shut in all winter working feverishly on projects! Having the chance to visit local schools again and make presentations to kids, or to attend book signings and speak with the public, or just being able to take long walks in the warm sunshine again ... this is the very essence of Spring! With that said, I’m happy and proud to join the ranks of over 30 local authors on May 3rd at Westerville Library’s Local Author Festival, from 10am ~ 1pm. This will be my first book signing of 2014 and I’ll keep you posted of other upcoming events as they develop. Come out and meet some of the best local home-grown talent, right in your own backyard and best of all, it’s free! The Westerville Library is located at 126 S. State Street ... if you search Westerville Public Library on Google it will pull up a [...]

Since working out the plot line and script for Who Ate the Gelato?!, I’ve found I have the opportunity to expand an idea that I not only discuss with kids on a regular basis in my book signings and school presentations, but an idea that I truly believe in with all my heart ... helping homeless animals everywhere through contributions and education!

Jasmine was about one year old when we adopted her from the Franklin County Animal Shelter and it was evident from the start she’d had a rough life. Although we quickly bonded with our new girl, she was a fiercely independent dog ... so much so that we use to joke “the Princess has her own agenda” and the name Princess stuck!

It occurred to me that since my printer doesn’t request the return of misprinted kids books, that various charities might benefit from their 130-book mistake! Charities with kids and families that can’t always afford to put food on the table, especially during the holidays might enjoy the gift of free kid’s books as Christmas presents!